Report Writing Skills

Course code: HUM 102

Prerequisites:
English Comprehension and Composition HUM 100
Co-requisites:
None
Course Catalog Description:

This course focuses on the skills required to communicate effectively orally as well as in writing
not only in the engineering community but also with the society at large. It guides students about
the entire writing processprewriting, writing, and rewritingdeveloping an easy-to-use, stepby-step technique for writing the types of documents they will encounter in the work
environment as well as in academic institutions. The course also discusses ethics, oral
communication, audience identification, electronic communication, and the importance of
written as well as oral communication. The main contents include :Introduction
to
Communication, Importance of Written /Oral Communication ,Significance of Clarity,
Conciseness, Organization , Accuracy, Ethics, and Practice of Important Technical documents
including Proposals, Thesis/Project Report, Resume/CV, Cover Letter for Job Search, E-mail,
Memo and letters. It also covers the Preparation of Power Point Presentations and focuses on
speaking skills.

Text book:
1.Technical Writing Process and Product - Sharon J Gerson ,Steven M Gerson

Reference Book:
1.Effective Buisness Communications -Herta A. Murphy ,Herbert W. Hilderbrandt ,
Jane P.Thomas

Course Learning Objectives:

1. To understand the idea of communication and the importance of written as well as oral
communication in professional environment.
2. To develop effective speaking and writing skills
3. To get conversant with professional ethics
4. To understand writing mechanics involved in the drafting of technical documents.
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5. To practice drafting of Proposals, Thesis/Project Report, Resume/CV, Cover Letter for Job
Search, E-mail, Memo, letters .
6. To undergo speaking activities.

Course Learning Outcomes:

After successfully completing the course, the students will be able to:
1. Define communication and relate its importance. List different documents of communication used
in professional environment. (C1,PLO 10)
2. Explain the necessary steps involved in the process of written/oral communication.Describe

the significance of audience recognition in communication. (C2, PLO10).

3. Use clear ,concise,well organized and accurate and
communication.(C3 PLO 10)
4.

sentences in written as well as in

Employ ethical principles in communication. (C3, PLO8).

5. Draft ( synonym of sketch) e-mail,letter,resume and memo. (C3, PLO 10)

6. Differentiate between different aspects of Ethics. (C4, PLO8)

7. Prepare Project Report/Thesis and Presentations(Power Point) (C5, PLO 10)

Course Schedule:
3 credit hours/week

Topics Covered
i. Introduction to Communication
ii. Importance of Effective Written/Oral Communication {1 week}
iii. Writing Process {1 week}
iv. Clarity, Conciseness, Accuracy and Organization in Written and Oral Communication
{2 weeks}
v. Ethics- Practicalities , Legalities ,Ethicalities{1 week}
vi. Audience Recognition & Involvement {1 week}
vii. Correspondence-Memo , Electronic Correspondence -E-mail writing{1 week}
viii. Letter Writing {1 week }
ix. Short Reports{1 week}
x. Project Report/Thesis- Its physical structures and style of writing
xi. Preliminary Pages of Project Report/Thesis
xii. Main Body of the Report/Thesis
xiii. How to write abstracts and acknowledgements, introduction, discussion, conclusion
and final recommendations
2

oral

xiv. How to format a Project Report/Thesis

xv. References - In-Text Citations {3 weeks}
xvi. Resume /CV- Job Application Material{1 week }
xvii. Oral Communication-Strategies to Improve Speaking Skills/Presentation Skills{ 2 weeks}

Assessment Plan:
Quizzes(4)

15%

Homework assignments

10%

2 Sessional exams (in class, 60-80 minutes each, 10%+15%)

25%

Terminal exam (3 hours)

50%

Learning Outcomes Assessment plan

Sr. #
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Course Learning Outcomes

Assessment
Assignment No. 1
Quiz No. 1
Sessional No. 1
Assignment No. 2
Quiz No. 2
Assignment No. 3
Quiz No. 3
Sessional No. 2
Assignment No. 4
Quiz No. 4
Terminal Examination

1,2
1,2
1,2,3
2,3
2,3
3,4
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
5,6,7
5,6,7
1-7

Mapping Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) to Standard Program Outcomes

(SPOs):
Standard Program Outcomes:

(a).An ability to communicate effectively orally as well as in writing.

(b).An ability to draft technical documents including project reports/thesis, proposals, short
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reports, e-mails, letters, resume etc, and also to make effective presentations.
(c).An ability to give and receive clear instructions
(d).An ability to use techniques, skills, and modern tools necessary for effective oral as well
as written communication.
(e).An ability to apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities of

engineering practice.
Table 2 Course Learning Outcomes mapped to Standard Program Outcomes.

OutcomesCourse Learning

Standard Program Outcomes

5
6
7
8

10
C1

C2

C3

C4

11

C4
C5

11

Outcome Coverage Explanation:

PLO8: Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics.
This course makes students conversant with their ethical responsibilities and norms of
engineering practice. Students are able to draft their proposals, project reports /thesis without
manipulating the data.They acknowledge the sources they consult during research at
undergraduate level and do not make tall and false claims. In their drafting of technical
documents, oral presentations, conversations, they are able to use positive words (even in
negative circumstances ) in order to be courteous in their communication. They are capable of
conveying true information and do not hide any information from the reader or listener. They are
able to compose their resume/CV and letter of application (Cover Letter) for job search with
complete honesty and can provide an honest description of their potentials.

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PLO10:Communication: An ability to communicate effectively, orally as well as in writing.

After successfully completing the course students are able to give and receive clear information.
They are able to draft their project reports/thesis successfully by providing specific information,
using understandable words, and avoiding camouflaged and wordy phrases. They have an ability
to use short sentences and coherent paragraphs, graphics and highlighting techniques to provide
excellence in their communication. They are able to design all the essential documents like
project reports/thesis , proposals, e-mail, resume , letter etc with clarity, conciseness , accuracy
and according to the specific pattern . They are capable of communicating their message with
lucidity and precision in their presentations and conversation. They are skilled to communicate
according to the level of knowledge of their readers /listeners.

Tentative Lecture Breakdown:

Week no.

Detail

Week 1

Introduction to Communication
Importance of Effective Witten/Oral Communication

Week 2

Producing Technical Documents

Overview of Writing process, Pre-writing techniques, Writing, rewriting-application of these writing stages

Week 3

Objectives in Written/Oral communication

Clarity, Conciseness ,Accuracy ,Organization

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Technical Writing Style

Guidelines for writing/speaking clear sentences
Guidelines for writing /speaking concise sentences
Guidelines for ensuring organization of ideas
Guidelines for ensuring accuracy
Audience Recognition & Involvement
Audience Recognition, Defining terms for different Audience Levels,
Multicultural Audiences, Sexist Language, Audience involvement
Correspondence/ Professional Communication-I
Memorandum Writing /Format,
Electronic Correspondence
E-mail writing/Format
Professional Communication-II
Letter Writing
Basic Letter Format
Elements of letters
Planning business Letters
Types of Letters
Short Report
Shorter Forms
An Overview of Report Structure
Characteristics and Types of Shorter Reports
Project Report/Thesis -I
Difference between a Proposal and Project Report/Thesis
Its physical structures and style of writing
Preliminary Page
Main Body of the Report
Project Report/Thesis-II
How to write abstracts and acknowledgements ,introduction,
discussion, conclusion and final recommendations
How to format a project report/thesis
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Week 11

Week 12

Week 13
Week 14

Project Report/Thesis-III
References/Bibliography-In-text Citations,
Appendices
Resume/Job Application Material
Analyzing your goals and audience
Planning the resume and letter
Drafting a resume
Formatting a resume
Writing letter of application
Oral Communication
Speaking Skills
Strategies to Improve Presentation Skills
Importance of Non Verbal Communication

Week 15

Presentations (Practice Activity)

Week 16

Revision and Problem Solving Session